Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

**Vacancy type**: Contingent on funding and DFAT approval.

**Location**: Southeast Asia and the Pacific

**Service areas**: International Development, Climate Change, Water Resource Management, Community-led Adaptation

**About the role**

Adam Smith International (ASI) is preparing for upcoming DFAT-funded investment opportunities across Southeast Asia (SEA) and the Pacific, particularly in the areas of climate change, mitigation, adaptation and resilience and systems strengthening. With a number of programs in development, we are seeking Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Experts to support the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based programming across the region.

MEL Experts play a pivotal role in the **design, implementation, and refinement of MEL systems** that comply with DFAT’s Design, Monitoring and Evaluation (DME) Standards and broader performance frameworks. The role requires strong expertise in integrating evidence, facilitating learning and supporting adaptive program management, ensuring efficient and effective program management, and enabling DFAT and program teams to make timely, data-informed decisions.

The MEL Expert will lead the implementation and iterative improvement of Program MEL Plans and Results Frameworks; undertake field monitoring visits with technical staff; collect and analyse a range of data, and evaluate program performance. They will generate knowledge products and performance analysis to support decision-making and inform strategic direction. The Expert will be responsible for tracking progress toward outcomes, promoting quality and learning, and facilitating program adaptation to drive continuous improvement.

Working closely with GEDSI and communications leads, the MEL Expert will ensure the validity and accuracy of datasets, drawing on this evidence base, internal learning, and results to clearly articulate program achievements to DFAT and other stakeholders. They will lead regular reviews and updates of MEL tools and systems, ensuring alignment with DFAT’s standards on GEDSI, climate change, value for money, and safeguarding.

**Key responsibilities**

Performance measurement & Learning
- Lead the development, implementation and ongoing refinement of program MEL systems in line with DFAT’s DME Standards.
- Maintain and update MEL Plans, Results Frameworks, data collection methodologies, and performance indicators, ensuring they reflect evolving program strategies, risks, and outcomes.
- Ensure all MEL systems integrate gender-sensitive, inclusive, and climate-relevant indicators, with particular attention to DFAT’s twin-track GEDSI approach and cross-cutting outcomes.
- Facilitate regular program reflection, pause-and-reflect sessions, and data-to-decision forums to strengthen learning loops and inform course correction

Support program evaluations and reviews, including managing third-party evaluations and contributing to Terms of Reference, methodology design, and utilisation-focused planning.

Data Management & Use
- Establish and maintain fit-for-purpose data systems, ensuring timely collection, analysis, and reporting.
- Lead MEL staff and technical teams in evidence generation and synthesis, translating insights into actionable program adjustments.
- Ensure data quality, disaggregation (by gender, disability, location), and storage align with ethical and DFAT-compliant standards.
- Produce high-quality MEL deliverables including reports, case studies, and knowledge products, communicating results clearly to DFAT, implementing partners, and beneficiaries.

Capacity Building & Adaptive Management
- Build MEL capability within ASI teams, local partners, and stakeholders to support the effective implementation and use of MEL systems.
- Guide programs to embed adaptive management principles, working with senior leadership and DFAT to respond to context shifts, operational risks, and performance insights.
- Contribute to risk and safeguarding monitoring (including child protection and PSEAH), and ensure integration into MEL processes.

Program Reporting & Compliance
- Prepare MEL inputs for Annual Work Plans, six-monthly reports, Value for Money assessments, and performance updates to DFAT.
- Ensure full compliance with DFAT’s DME Standards, including MEL Standard 1 (Performance Management), Standard 3 (Use of Evidence), and Standard 5 (Utilisation of Evaluation).
- Support strategic communications efforts by providing evidence and stories of change that illustrate program outcomes and Australia’s contribution.

**About you**

You will possess:

- A bachelor’s degree (required) and postgraduate qualifications (preferred) in a relevant discipline, such as statistics, mathematics, economics, international development, social science, public policy, environmental studies.
- 10+ years of experience implementing MEL systems and tools across programs
- Demonstrated experience in MEL for climate mitigation and adaptation, and climate resilience in developing countr